Nature By Runtz

Nature By Runtz A naturalist since age 5, Michael is an award-winning university Associate Professor, author, and photographer. Britta Gerwin is a nature photographer.

Britta is a historian, photographer, radio host, producer, and partner of Nature By Runtz. A birder/naturalist since the age of five, Michael is an award-winning university lecturer, photographer, author, and keynote speaker who conducts natural history surveys and hosted the international television series Wild by Nature. Her work has been sold internationally and across Canada. Britta is a radio

show host and producer with Hunters Bay Radio. She speaks four languages fluently, is an avid traveller and gourmet cook. She is a partner in Nature By Runtz.

06/18/2026

Wild Orchids…

If you're passionate about birding and ever have the opportunity, consider attending the Huron Fringe Birding Festival. ...
05/29/2026

If you're passionate about birding and ever have the opportunity, consider attending the Huron Fringe Birding Festival.

It's a festival we cherish deeply, filled with wonderful programming and dedicated volunteers who share your love for birds.

https://huronfringebirdingfestival.ca/festival/events


May would not be the same for Britta and me if it did not include a trip to Point Pelee National Park. One of the top t...
05/27/2026

May would not be the same for Britta and me if it did not include a trip to Point Pelee National Park. One of the top ten birding locations in the world, Pelee is the southernmost tip of Canada's mainland. Two major migratory routes – the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways – converge here, sending countless thousands of birds through the Park. Although the fall migration may offer more birds as they work their way south through Pelee, the spring migration is more alive with colour and song.

Each year birders hope to see birds that strayed from the south or southwest. This spring brought a few of those. Our highlights including superb views of a Worm-eating Warbler and a White-faced Ibis. The latter set up shop in Hillman Marsh, which was visited by hundreds of Short-billed Dowitchers and many other shorebirds. However, the top billing went to an Ash-throated Flycatcher, a species for which I have been searching for more than 40 years. Found by Isabel Apkarian, the flycatcher was viewed over a few days by hundreds of birders.

In addition to seeing fantastic birds, Pelee brings the chance to reunite with old friends. As I have been visiting the Park for more than 50 years, it was delightful to see so many kindred spirits once again, as well as meet some new ones.

05/23/2026

An amazing heronry visit with our friend Chris.

05/18/2026

Algonquin Park's Wildflower Season Has Begun — Discover more in Wildflowers of Algonquin Provincial Park that shares common species by habitat. Purchase this 52-page book for $6.95 at the Visitor Centre or online at http://store.algonquinpark.on.ca/cgi/algonquinpark/00129.html

Image: Cover of Wildflowers of Algonquin Provincial Park published by The Friends of Algonquin Park, with text and photos by Michael Runtz.

Thank you to all for the birthday wishes. The day was enjoyed with my Britta, friends, and birds. My heart is full!
05/14/2026

Thank you to all for the birthday wishes. The day was enjoyed with my Britta, friends, and birds.

My heart is full!

Happy Birthday, my Michael! Thank you for sharing the beauty of the world with me, for your compassionate heart, and you...
05/12/2026

Happy Birthday, my Michael!

Thank you for sharing the beauty of the world with me, for your compassionate heart, and your radiant spirit.

You illuminate every day with discovery and adventure, and guide me through life's challenges like a lighthouse in the storms.

I'm grateful to journey through life with you, and I look forward to many vibrant years together.

Your kindness inspires others, and I'm thankful for your beautiful soul.

“Because I have known the torments of thirst I would dig a well where others may drink.” - Ernest Thompson Seton

Happy Birthday my love.

05/07/2026

Black bear dining on Aspen buds.

Only recently the Madawaska and Ottawa rivers at Arnprior shed their shackles of ice. As the ice slowly released its gri...
04/24/2026

Only recently the Madawaska and Ottawa rivers at Arnprior shed their shackles of ice. As the ice slowly released its grip. thousands of geese settled into this part of the Ottawa Valley, feasting in cornfields during the day and roosting on the water at night. As many as five thousand geese could be seen at a time.

Whenever this many geese are present, there is usually a treasure or two hidden in their masses. It takes time and patience to scan that many birds but you are usually rewarded for your effort with a Snow, Cackling, or even a Ross's Goose. It is not unlike looking for Waldo in one of those crazy cartoons.

Two of my favourite birding spots for waterfowl near Arnprior include a small creek that in April swells into a large, shallow pond. It fills with geese but they seem to come not to eat but to bathe. They stay for a few hours then leave to forage in nearby fields or roost in the open water of the Madawaska River. This year a blue morph Snow Goose and a hybrid Snow X Canada showed up.

My other favourite location is the Madawaska River Headpond, the body of water above the dam that is also known as Lake Madawaska. When I was a boy before the dam was built the river was a beautiful meandering waterway with rapids and small waterfalls. It broke my heart when the old growth forest embracing it was clearcut and the land flooded by the dam. Today it is an excellent birding spot but my heart still longs for the meandering river.
The Headpond is particularly good for viewing waterfowl when the ice first starts to leave and water is liberated near the shore. Sitting patiently by the water’s edge early in the morning usually brings some close encounters.

The following photos reveal some of this year's highlights.

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587 Nieman Drive
Arnprior, ON
K7S3G8

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